Walking NZ with a Purpose

Anne Chapman is just about to finish the Northland section of Te Ara Roa – the walkway that runs the length of New Zealand.

My home in Waipu is on this walkway and several times a week I see people walking the trail – backs on their backs. The Northern Advocatehad an article about her journey, and her commitment to raise awareness about Mental Health. Also Here

I emailed her and offered a bed and to gather some people to meet her.

New Zealand is such a small place, within 10 minutes of meeting we had identified about four points of contact with shared with other people and places.

Annie set out on Te Ara Roa 12/12/12 not quite at 12 noon, and she hopes to be in Wellington by early May with a petition to take to parliament seeking an enquiry into the treatment of mental health patients. Annie worked as a caregiver for folk on heavy antipsychotic drug regimes. She is concerned that, though we no longer lock people up in institutions, anti psychotic drugs in particular have many serious side effects, and alternative treatment methods need to be addressed. I noted when we talked that the discussion about over medication is also being had in the medical world. The petition is not fully formulated yet, but keep in touch with Annie and you will be able to sign it in time.

You can donate a one-off payment or a small weekly automatic payment for the duration of the walk to bank account 38-9006-0205358-03 Ann Chapman-Hikoi. Email anniechapman@actrix.co.nz if you can help, and follow her progress on Facebook.